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NSFAS Application 2025 is Open – Apply to NSFAS Online Application Form

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The National Aid Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS application window for 2025 is officially open. In this article, we’re discussing NSFAS Application 2025, how to apply for NSFAS, NSFAS Online Application Opening Date, NSFAS Online Application Closing Date, etc.

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Students will have just over two months to submit their NSFAS funding applications. This is because the application window will remain open until 31 January 2025.  

NSFAS provides comprehensive funding to more than one million students enrolled in approved programmes at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

The bursaries offered by NSFAS are designed to cover all costs associated with tertiary education. This includes funding for tuition and registration fees, along with various allowances.

Students receive accommodation allowances, meal allowances, and stationery allowances from NSFAS. Adjustments are made to the allowances for students living at home or in catered accommodation. 

NSFAS encourages all eligible students to submit their applications during the designated application period. They also reminded grade 12 learners that matric results are not a prerequisite for submitting a NSFAS application. 

NSFAS revealed that they are in discussions with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), to enhance the application validation process, particularly concerning parental relationships. These adjustments aim to improve verification procedures and ensure timely confirmation of funding decisions.

Applicants are urged to provide accurate information, as mistakes may lead to the rejection of their NSFAS 2025 applications. 

As was the case with the last few years, South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant beneficiaries will receive immediate funding decisions without the need for additional supporting documents, except for learners with disabilities.

NSFAS applications 2025 can be submitted online by using myNSFAS. Additional application channels established by Nsfas include mobile apps, a USSD code and WhatsApp.

NSFAS Application 2025 Opening Date

The following are the official NSFAS 2025 application opening and closing dates as obtained by sanotify.

The application for NSFAS 2025 opens on 21, November 2025. All students for both public universities and TVET Colleges who want to get the National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding can apply from the NSFAS application 2025 opening date.

NSFAS Online Application 2025 Closing Date

The closing date for NSFAS online application 2025 is 31 January 2026.

NSFAS Application 2025 Opening Date NSFAS Application 2025 Closing Date
21, November 2025 31 January 2026
Opening and closing dates for NSFAS application online.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible before the application deadline.

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=> If you already applied, Check your Status Here

Every applicant is expected to read every section of the application form.

What does the bursary cover?

UNIVERSITY

  • Accommodation

As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)

  • Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7 500  per annum
  • Living allowance R15, 000  per annum
  • Book allowances R5200 per annum
  • Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum for students in catered residences

TVET

  • Accommodation in an urban area R24,000 per annum
  • Accommodation in a peri-urban area R18,900 per annum
  • Accommodation in a rural area R15,750 per annum
  • Transport (up to 40 km from the institution) R7,350  per annum
  • Transport R7000 per annum
  • Incidental/personal care allowance R2900 per annum

Who qualifies for funding?

Applicants are only eligible for the NSFAS funding if;

  • You must be a South African citizen
  • You must be registered or applying to study at a Public University or TVET College
  • Able-bodied individuals must have a household income that comes to R350 000 or less per year
  • People living with disabilities household income must come to R600 000 or less per year

There is no age limit for the bursary and SASSA grant beneficiaries immediately qualify for funding.

Do NOT apply if you meet the following criteria:

  • Foreign student (NOT a South African citizen)
  • Total household income is over R350 000 per annum
  • Students who have already applied and received funding in previous years. They are automatically funded for the duration of their studies, provided they pass their modules and meet the academic requirements.
  • Students who have completed a previous qualification, unless they apply for an approved funded post-graduate qualification.

Important Notice

It is very important that during the application, the applicant provides the correct ID number, name(s), and surname as reflected in their ID documents.

NSFAS will validate the ID upfront. This will allow us to prepopulate your application form with the validated and correct information received from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Department of Basic Education (DBE), and others.

Benefits for applicants

  • The user-friendly application form that you can complete anytime, anywhere, on a mobile device.
  • Reduce time spent on completing an application.
  • Improve the accuracy of the application through data validation and pre-population of fields.

NSFAS Application 2025 – Required Documents

All applicants

  • Copy of ID
  • Must have consent from the parent(s), guardian or spouse to submit their personal information for validation and verification. Once you accept the applicable terms and conditions, you confirm that you have received consent from all relevant parties.

If the applicant is dependant on their parents, guardian or spouse, they must provide:

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  • ID copies of the parent(s), guardian or spouse.
  • Proof of income of the parent(s), guardian or spouse (payslip or appointment letter, where applicable).

If the applicant is self-sufficient, they must provide:

  • Proof of income (payslip or appointment letter)
  • 1 year’s IRP5 form
  •  

If the student has a disability, they must provide:

  • A completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form (if their information is not pre-populated on the online application form).

Vulnerable students (child under 18 years), they must provide:

  • A completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration and Consent Form which must be completed by a social worker.

Other documents required, if applicable:

  • Retrenchment letter
  • Death certificate/s
  • Divorce decree

You will need the following to complete your NSFAS Application:

  • You own cellphone number and email address.
  • Copy of your ID or birth certificate.
  • ID Copies of parents / guardian / spouse.
  • Your proof of income (if applicable).
  • You parents’ / guardian’s / spouse’s proof of income.
  • If you are a SASSA grant recipient, no proof of income will be required.
  • Applicants with a disability must submit a completed and signed Disability Annexure A Form.
  • An applicant who is recognized as a Vulnerable Child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed and signed Vulnerable Child Declaration Form.

Create your myNSFAS account

You must have your own:

  • Valid email address and cellphone number
  • Your South African ID number

Go to www.nsfas.org.za, click myNSFAS and click on ‘REGISTER’

Provide NSFAS with consent to verify your details with third party agencies by clicking on the tick box. Check the accuracy of all details and update your details where necessary.

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Once you have completed all the required fields, click on ‘submit’. To complete the registration of the account, you will receive a One Time Pin on the cellphone number and email address you provided.

Enter the One Time Pin and click on ‘submit’. You will receive a confirmation message to confirm that your profile has been created. You can now log in.

Students are encouraged to keep their usernames and passwords safe and never share them with anyone.

Completing your NSFAS application

Step 1:

Click on the ‘Apply’ tab.

ID number, name(s), surname, cell number and email address will be pre-populated. This information is taken from your profile registration. You will then fill in the rest of the required fields.

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Step 2:

Upload the relevant supporting documents. Agree to the terms and conditions by ticking the box and click ‘submit’.

Once your application is submitted, an Application Reference Number is sent to your email and cellphone.

Step 3:

Once you have submitted your application, you can track your application status here.

METHOD 2: At your closest NYDA Centre

1) Visit a NYDA centre/ office closest to you

2) A NYDA centre worker will explain the application process and provide you with an application form to complete

3) Complete the application form in CAPITAL letters with a black pen and sign it in the allocated spots

4) Hand in your application form and supporting documents (as listed below). Ensure that your supporting documents are certified on the front of the page and not be older than 3 months.

5) You will receive a receipt card with a bar code attached

METHOD 3: At a Financial Aid Office on campus/ computer lab

Types of messages to applicants if validation with the Department of Home Affairs is not completed.

What if the student has forgotten their old username, password and cellphone number? How do they reset their profile?

Who Can Submit A NSFAS Appeal 

A student whose application for financial aid is rejected, or the financial aid for a continuing student is withdrawn can submit a NSFAS appeal. NSFAS warned that appeals will only be considered for students who have applied for NSFAS funding. 

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The appeal decisions are subject to budget availability. 

Who Cannot Submit A NSFAS Appeal?

Students can not submit a NSFAS appeal application if they are registered for a qualification that NSFAS does not fund or if they have reached N+2 (or N+3 in the case of students with disabilities).

They will also not consider appeal applications where the student is a gap year student to whom NSFAS previously denied financial aid because they did not meet the academic eligibility criteria.

The appeal will also not be considered if the institution has not submitted its registration record to NSFAS or has submitted an incorrect registration record such enquiries should be directed to the institution.

Why NSFAS Applications Are Opening So Late 

NSFAS says the decision to open the application process in November aims to expedite decision-making processes by allowing for shorter turnaround times. Opening applications in November also aligns with the financial eligibility assessment, which requires updated information from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). 

How do they reset their profile?

Follow the below steps to reset your myNSFAS login details:

STEP 1 – Go to www.nsfas.org.za, click on ‘myNSFAS’ and then select ‘forgot password.

STEP 2 – Type in your ID number and choose what you require help with: password or username or both, then click ‘submit’

STEP 3 – The username and the link to change your password will be sent via SMS and email.

STEP 4 – Open the link to be redirected to the reset password page.

STEP 5 – Reset your password by following the prompts on your screen.

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact NSFAS directly:

Tel: 0860 067 327

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

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69 thoughts on “NSFAS Application 2025 is Open – Apply to NSFAS Online Application Form”

  4. Nqobile Nkosi

    Hi! I was denied due to my ID not being certified and now I just got my results and they are so good, I also have my ID certified can I please be considered please since this is my only means I have for now to further my studies and Wits have accepted me.

  9. johannah

    i have been trying to apply online but i keep getting the same problem- a message that says not all fields are completed. first field- the year applying for, but the field is greyed and not editable as well as three other fields which include the id field. how do i get those fields to be editable so i can enter the required information on them?

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